I have a voice!

With the final of the BBC TV programme 'The voice' behind us and with National Voice Awareness Day fast approaching (16th April) I got to thinking about my voice. Singers call their voice, their instrument. My voice is my instrument; my instrument for informing and educating my hypnotherapy students as well as communicating with friends, family, colleagues, neighbours and strangers.  Being a hypnotherapist, my voice is also the tool I use to help clients with hypnosis, so I get frustrated when I have problems with my voice, but I’m grateful that I can speak. I am free to speak and I can say whatever I wish to.

Our voice is our means of communication. It’s not just what we say either; the pitch and tone of our voice communicates much more than the words. But words and speech are essential. People who feel unable to express themselves for one reason or another suffer emotionally and psychologically.
In the film ‘The King’s Speech’ Colin Firth shouted in frustration, “Because I have a right to be heard! I have a voice!” This is true of all of us, although sadly, there are too many people who feel they can’t express themselves through lack of confidence or fear of ridicule or criticism.

Fear of public speaking and social phobia is all too common and in my practice I see many clients who want help to become confident communicating; or just confident. It’s very rewarding when I help someone who’s been afraid of speaking in meetings or at seminars, but perhaps most satisfying of all is when a client who has been unassertive, finds their voice.